Magickal Solitaries

[Shy Hawk]

So I hear tell that solitaries don't work magick too much. I don't know if that's true or not.....I don't, but I'd sure like to.
If that is true, why do you suppose that's so?

For those of you who work magick, are you a solitary or no?

[Myst]

I'm a solitary and work magick just as much as any other Pagan out there I think. I've never heard that before *shrugs*

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

I'm a magic practicing solitary also.

I think if some don't do it, it's because they feel they need to be "taught" how to. If you don't have anyone to show you, you feel you are going to mess things up and don't want Karma to come knocking on your door! lol That's my opinion anyways. ;)

[Shadowulfe]

i am a solitary and practice Magick... so is my fiancee and her sister

[Lavender]

I'm a solitary & practice magic. In fact, I've been doing magic long before I would admit to being a witch. Most of what I do is herbal related.

[loopy]

I'm a solitary, and I do magick as I feel I need to. :)

[Swanspirit]

and do magic........... every day.....
I have never heard solitaries dont do magic..... what I have heard is that solitaries do what ever they see fit......... when they deem it fitting..........
Love and light
Swannie

[Xander67]

Magick is just as nautural as breatheing, once I began to see what magick REALLY was and HOW it works.... I began to want to apply it to my daily life, it isnt just about spells and rituals... it is deeper and alot more sublime........

but yes, alot of solitares work magick.... there are alot of things that it is reccomended that we do, such as energy management, aurua cleanseing and chakra balanceing....

if you go to www.thedance.com there are some great lectures and begginers info... but if I may use an analgy

think of your spirit, or you psyche as an expensive luxury car Fully loaded with all kinds of options... now imagine someone handing you the keys, would you hop right in and drive it? or would you take the time to learn how to drive first...

get to know yourself, discovering you talents and gifts can be a wonderful thing. then once you see jsut what kind of options your magical being has.... it makes the ride smoother, but the journey to finding it all, is bumpy as hell LOL

[Thia]

Xander67, excellent post and great link. I'm going to spend time reading all that during my lunch hour.

I was a solitary (up until about a month ago and I guess I still am in my own way) and I do practice magick quite a bit. I enjoy rituals a lot and spend a lot of time doing them as well.

[Swanspirit]

Magick is just as nautural as breatheing, once I began to see what
magick REALLY was and HOW it works.... I began to want to apply
it to my daily life, it isnt just about spells and rituals... it is deeper
and alot more sublime........

but yes, alot of solitares work magick.... there are alot of things
that it is reccomended that we do, such as energy management,
aurua cleanseing and chakra balanceing....

if you go to www.thedance.com there are some great lectures and
begginers info... but if I may use an analgy

think of your spirit, or you psyche as an expensive luxury car Fully
loaded with all kinds of options... now imagine someone handing
you the keys, would you hop right in and drive it? or would you take
the time to learn how to drive first...

get to know yourself, discovering you talents and gifts can be a
wonderful thing. then once you see jsut what kind of options your
magical being has.... it makes the ride smoother, but the journey to
finding it all, is bumpy as hell LOL




Wonderful ..... you get a standing ovation....
HUGS
Swannie

[Shy Hawk]

I guess the reason I thought that was because I was talking to a former solitary who is now a covener. I said, "I think I'd like to start bringing magick into my life, I haven't done much." And, she said, "that's typical of solitaries, they don't cast circles or work magick much". :huh: Would this be a wrong assumption then?

[Swanspirit]

that solitaries dont get to participate in group activities as much...... but other than that ........... I cant see it...... most solitaries I know are very active .. sometimes much more so because they dont have to wait for the group........also being IN a group does not in and of itself preclude solitary practice......
Love and Light
Swannie

[Lavender]

Hi Shy Hawk! It really depends on the individual solitary. Some cast circles & some don't. I do sometimes on the rare occassion but not always. I also know a couple of solitary wiccans that don't practice magic also.

I've always been solitary. I've never been a member of a coven before, though I have particpated at covens as a guest. I guess it just suits me better this way. I feel that my way of life is just that...a way of life. I find myself going through the day with a part of my mind connected with my Mother. Who knows? Someday I may find a group with the same mind-set and beliefs and I may join up! :D

[Myst]

Originally posted by Xander67
think of your spirit, or you psyche as an expensive luxury car Fully loaded with all kinds of options... now imagine someone handing you the keys, would you hop right in and drive it? or would you take the time to learn how to drive first...

Actually being as I don't drive I would learn to drive first - it might make the driving the car time last a li'l bit longer then the min it takes to get out of the driveway. :D

[slvr_phoenix]

Well, no offense to your friend Shy Hawk, but I don't think she knows as much as she thinks she does if she's making comments like that. I'm not saying that this is the case here, but to me it sounds like the typical pseudo-coven control brainwashing.

(You know, where a someone calls themself a High Priestess or Priest even though they didn't recieve a degree any actual tradition and then decide to start their own 'coven' where they proceed to feed off of the energies of every student by convincing them that life outside of a coven is pointless, solitaries don't know anything, and often even that they're stupid until they study with this 'coven' and earn their degrees.)

I'm not saying such is the case, but it certainly sounds like that kind of attitude, if not actuality to suit. And sadly an awful lot of legit covens have even perpetuated this kind of nonsense.

The simple truth is, solitaries are no different than circle, group, clan, or coven members. They do magick when they feel like doing magick. How often that is varies according to the individual. And not everyone who works magick will cast a circle, or even perform a ritual. Those things also vary according to the individual. Being solitary has nothing to do with any of it. The only thing that does is that many covens require their members to work in a specific fashion, often being at/performing in rituals and always casting circles. But still, how anyone does their magick all depends on how they feel they should do it. If they didn't agree with what a coven was teaching, then they wouldn't stay with the coven. So it all ultimately comes down to the individual. No more, no less.

[Swanspirit]

"(You know, where a someone calls themself a High Priestess or
Priest even though they didn't recieve a degree any actual tradition
and then decide to start their own 'coven' where they proceed to
feed off of the energies of every student by convincing them that
life outside of a coven is pointless, solitaries don't know anything,
and often even that they're stupid until they study with this 'coven'
and earn their degrees.)"

this is exactly what some of them end up doing ..........I have seen it with my own eyes.......right here in my own area....
This "high priestess" was constantly drumming up students for her "wicca 101 " classes..... although she was not in any tradition..... she claimed to be "eclectic" Gardnerian ..... and spent a lot of time bashing people who werent in her presence at the moment .....I mean seriously bashing , and then the next thing you know she is inviting them to ritual where she is the "HIGH priestess" instead of just asking if they wanted to get together ........
When I confronted her on some of this .... she said "Well I might talk about people behind their backs but I do it with love"
Umm yeah right......but as we speak she has any number of newbies flocking around thinking what they are learning is the real deal......
The rest of us "solitaries" have reformed our original Goddess discussion group without her ....
and get together when we can for sabbats and esbats ......without having someone swooping in and taking over......very egalitarian group .... and we like it that way.....
Love and light
Swannie

[Shy Hawk]

Ah....good point all. I suppose she didn't know what she was talking about. Still....she's an elder, so I outta not say she's uninformed to her face. But at least I know better.
:D

[slvr_phoenix]

We should definately respect our elders. But no one should ever stop learning either. You really can teach an old dog new tricks, if you do so with patience and love. :) So perhaps if the topic ever does come up in the future again with her, you can politely inform her of what all of your solitary friends have expressed and kindly tell her that perhaps she might want to reconsider her opinion. That's my 2 cents. Brightest blessings and I'm glad we were all able to join together to share some insight.

[Swanspirit]

someone is an "ELDER" doesnt man you dont get to have your opinion .. and ASK questions!!!!
Anyone that you dont feel comfortable talking with on that level ( I am going out a limb here)
is probably not someone you want to learn from........... you dont have to tell her she is uninformed.... just that you have learned otherwise.........
:>
Love and Light
Swannie

[Laiste]

I am a Solitary and practice magick regularly.

[phoenixsong]

Well, I'm a solitary, and it's quite a while since I've worked magick with circle, candles, etc., but that's kind of because I was sick recently and didn't have the energy(ah, poor me, :( ). Did lots of meditation, though!

[slvr_phoenix]

Originally posted by Swanspirit
someone is an "ELDER" doesnt man you dont get to have your opinion .. and ASK questions!!!!
Anyone that you dont feel comfortable talking with on that level ( I am going out a limb here)
is probably not someone you want to learn from........... you dont have to tell her she is uninformed.... just that you have learned otherwise.........
:>
Love and Light
Swannie
Oh, I don't know. It's usually the ... err ... 'eccentric' ones (the ones that make us feel uncomfortable with their extreme opinions and strange ways) that have some of the deepest insights, knowledge, and experience to learn from. They can be difficult to work with, but they can also be a great source of wisdom to learn from. You just have to learn to dance their steps and bring out the best in them. :)

[Emy]

I am solitary, and a practice magick. I too have heard that it is rather common for solitary wiccans not to practice magick, I have no idea where that is coming from, and I don't believe it is true, although I guess there are wiccans who don't practice magick. For me magick is like breathing just like Xander said. And most of us does magickal things everyday. Like when I am taking a shower I also take time to cleanse my aura or simply sending love out every time I blow out a candle, these things are also magick, and I think lots of people do this type of magick. Of course I do circles and rituals and more advanced magick too. :) And I think most solitaries probably do. But that is just my opinion and my theory... :)

Blessings

[Rick]

...but if anyone refers to me as wiccan, there'll probably be an altercation (AND you'll hurt my feelings). :nyah:

Gone to a few 'coven meetings'... never been initiated... no plans to ever do so... never had a 'great teacher'... learned bits & pieces here & there... pass it on when I can... doesn't seem to me that there's any great mystery to it, either way...

[Swanspirit]

this happens....."Oh, I don't know. It's usually the ... err ... 'eccentric' ones (the ones
that make us feel uncomfortable with their extreme opinions and
strange ways) that have some of the deepest insights, knowledge,
and experience to learn from. They can be difficult to work with,
but they can also be a great source of wisdom to learn from. You
just have to learn to dance their steps and bring out the best in
them. "
But I have a personal mentor .. protector guardian and shaman ...... who found me in an hour of deep need .. when I was at a very low piont and had called out for protection.....
and has been with me since .......... he describes our relationship as a "beautiful friendship"
and I can go to him with anything and everything and have...........
you can find him here
http://mishibinijima.isys.ca/james.html
he is also a world renowned artist ......
Love and Light
Swannie

[Armitage]

I don't practice much, pretty much because, both inside and outside of my house, it's hard to get even a tiny bit of privacy.

[Myst]

Originally posted by Rick
Gone to a few 'coven meetings'... never been initiated... no plans to ever do so... never had a 'great teacher'... learned bits & pieces here & there... pass it on when I can...

Ditto. I prefer to walk my own path rather then follow in the footsteps of another. I have a group of friends, and sometimes we practice together, and often we discuss our beliefs and practices and are in effect all students of the Gods helping eachother to travel our paths.

[kittiepoetrygod]

IN referance to the first post ... i think that what people mean by that is that solitaries don't work magick as much ... most likely because they don't need to work magick as much ... which is just a label.

[Swanspirit]

"I prefer to walk my own path rather then follow in the
footsteps of another. I have a group of friends, and sometimes we
practice together, and often we discuss our beliefs and practices
and are in effect all students of the Gods helping each other to travel
our paths."
I would be wary of any teacher that would not encourage you to do so ..... even in most traditions individual practice and above all thinking are encouraged.......
There is a great deal of "cult of personality " going on in the pagan community right now.....
it is hard to realise when caught up in it......sometimes.....
After years of solitary practice..... and almost being a recluse ..... finding pagans in my owm back yard was heady stuff..... and I just "went for it".. and I really should have been more cautious...... but I learned a lot.....
about groups...... LOL and VEDDY VEDDY HIGHER THAN THOU priestesses...... LOL......
cheesh ....just give me my little every other week Goddess Group.......with the REAL people......where the ONEUPMANSHIP and witchier than thou CRAP I have been pagan longer than you bologna is irrelevant.......
Love and Light
Swannie

[AradiaSupernova]

I'm magick working solitary too.

I only work magick when I think I seriously need it though. Sure, I write spells and things, but I don't really do the actual spells unless I am absolutely positive I need to. (I'm still nervous about casting spells and doing rituals. I've been Wiccan for just a little under a year) I don't know how it works with all solitaries. I live with 2 others (my sisters) and I think all 3 of us have a different view on it.

[Old Witch]

I'm a solitary and I work magic all the time. This is sort of like the Element thread, never heard of it before.:confused:
:elf:

[white_draco]

I do Magick and I'm a Solitary. I do anything that I can do possible as a Solitary. I have myself and that's all I need.



-White Draco-

[ANUR36]

Im a solitairy practitioner and practice but very lil. Im still learning and would like too just take my time and walk down my path instead of rush down it. Dont want to miss a thing.

[Andromeda]

I am solitary, and practice magick. I'd like to try working with someone else. But I don't know anyone else in my area who practices the craft:(

Blessings
Andromeda